Knock! Knock!
Sharp knocking sounds came from the warehouse door.
Lark was inspecting the potions lined up neatly in open wooden boxes. "Come in," he called.
One of the alchemist staff entered the room, slightly out of breath. "Boss, an envoy from the mayor is at the front shop. He wants to meet you."
Envoy from the mayor? Lark's mind raced, "Is he here for the potions? Bring him to my office and treat him well," he instructed the staff as he stood up, ready to leave the room.
"No need for that, Mr. Lark," a voice interjected before Lark and the staff could exit the room. The envoy appeared at the door. "I'm here to inform you that the mayor is canceling all future potion restocks, starting from the next month."
Lark stared at the envoy. "What do you mean?" He said as his thoughts began to whirl. Is this that bastard again?
"Mayor Cava has found another supplier for the potions," the envoy shortly explained.
Lark's nostrils flared, and his face began to redden.
"Nikos!(Sir Nikos), that bastard," Lark and the envoy exclaimed simultaneously, referring to the same person.
The envoy who's heard the curse clearly, sensing Lark's anger he's hesitated. "Right... that is correct."
Out of a sudden Lark aggressively grab a wooden box, slam it to the wall.
Without warning, Lark grabbed a wooden box and slammed it against the wall.
Crash!
The box broken and the potions inside shattered, splashing onto the floor. That bastard never learns! Lark's aggressive outburst caught the envoy and staff off guard, left them stunned.
Lark continued to push and shove the wooden boxes around violently. The envoy stepped back, alarmed by the chaotic scene.
"You can't just cancel like that!" Lark shouted, glaring back to the envoy with his eyes blazing. "The mayors have always bought from the association!"
The envoy perplexed, caught off guard by Lark outburst, he stammered, "I... Mr. Lark... I'm not the one who make the decision. I'm just delivering the message to you."
"You're coming with me. I want to talk to the mayor," Lark demanded, grabbing the envoy's arm and dragging him out of the shop.
They marched to the mayor's residence, where inside the mansion soldiers were busy preparing for the impending monster waves. Lark stood in front of the gates, glaring at the activity inside.
"Let me in. I want to talk to the mayor," he demanded of the guards.
"Sorry, Mr. Lark, you can't. Lord Cava is not in the mansion right now," one of the guards replied, rejecting his request.
Lark turned to the envoy. "Do something. Get me to the mayor."
The envoy shook his head helplessly.
"Fuck!" Lark cursed, stomping the ground in frustration.
Meanwhile, at the adventurer's guild, Nikos and his group were preparing to help defend the town. He close the store, as today's stock had been completely sold out.
In the large hall of the adventurer guild, on the first floor a flurry of activity filled the air as members scrambled to prepare for the second wave of monster attacks.
Reychard was helping Nori direct the adventurers and assign roles to various teams. While Nori was busy recording and count the point of the adventurers for their previous contributions on the first waves attack.
Reychard is start getting close to Nori, this is a great moment for them to get closer. Nikos thought briefly.
Turning back to his group, Nikos addressed them. "The second wave of the monster attack could come this evening or tomorrow."
"Masster, from what I obsherves, the second wave will come tonight. Outshide the gates, the monstersh have already gathered around the edge of the town wall," Jarek, reported.
Nikos nodded at Jarek's information. "That's why we'll join the fight against the monster in this second wave. It will hone our coordination in a massive battle. However, we won't be on the front lines but will serve as backup lines, fighting any monster that successfully breaking through the first line of defense. Do you all understand?"
"I am ready, Mashter," Jarek announced, and Liriel nodded, understanding the order.
"Understand Master." Marielle affirmed, steeling herself against any anxious thoughts.
Nikos's team prepared themselves.
Jarek readied his greataxe and stretched his body muscles. Liriel sharpened her daggers and coated all her throwing knives with poison. And Marielle checked her potion stock, ensuring she had plenty ready for the fight.
Trying to ease her anxiety, Marielle spoke with Jarek, "Jarek, do you think the town can hold against all the monster waves attack?"
"I don't know for sure, but I believe we can win this. Masster know besht, and we've alwayss success previously against many monshters," Jarek replied in his deep voice.
"You're right, Jarek. We can do this," Marielle said, feeling a bit more confident.
The two continue on their conversations.
Meanwhile, Liriel glanced at Nikos several times. In the few months she had been with him. She's realize that Nikos always have more than one reason for doing something, whether he do it by himself or ordering them.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she moves closer to him, whispering voicing her curiosity. "Sir, I know this fight will strengthen our coordination as a team, but is that the only reason for this?"
Nikos was in silence hearing the question, afterwards he smile to her, "Nothing bad comes from being involved with your own customers. We will learn what they need most by being directly involved with them. Also another points is their loyalty to our shop will increase when they realize we care for them." he explain to her some of the real reasons.
Liriel looked at him with admiration. That makes sense, now it's clear. She nodded, understanding his reasoning perfectly.
Meanwhile, Reychard, having finished organizing the adventurers, noticed Nikos and his group in the corner of the room and approached them.
"Sir Nikos, you're here. Are you come to help fight against the monsters?" Reychard asked.
Nikos nodded. "I believe this will strengthen our team coordination. Besides, I can't just stay still when all the adventurers are working together to defend this town."
"That is a great cause. The more help we have, the easier it will be to defend the town. The people will definitely appreciate your contribution, Sir Nikos," Reychard said, slightly bowing his head.
"But, Reychard, since my team and I are still a newbie party, we can only help on the back lines. Is that okay?"
"That's perfectly fine, Sir Nikos. The town always welcomes all the help, even the smallest contributions," Reychard reassured him. "Do you need anything else, Sir N—"
Suddenly, an adventurer burst through the door, drawing everyone's attention.
"The monsters are coming!" he shouted.
Soon, distant rumbling and roaring beasts began to be heard, echoing through the town.